A fresh wave of violence struck Nigeria’s capital region late Wednesday after armed bandits abducted a 16-year-old boy and six young women during an overnight raid on Gidan-Bijimi, a community in Kawu ward, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

The attack, which occurred around 9:47 p.m., saw gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles storm two houses before seizing the victims and fleeing under heavy gunfire. Residents said the assault triggered panic across Gidan-Bijimi as vigilantes attempted to intervene but were forced to retreat due to the attackers’ superior firepower.

Local resident Suleiman Shuaibu confirmed the abductions, stating that the kidnapped girls are believed to be between 17 and 23 years old.

“It was around 9:53 p.m. when we got a call that bandits had invaded the village and taken six girls. My cousin sister is among them,” he said.

The incident caused several families to flee the area overnight, and authorities say no contact has been made with the abductors as of this morning.

The attack comes just 48 hours after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike ordered tighter surveillance along Abuja’s borders, following rising concerns that armed groups from neighboring states are pushing closer to the capital. A joint security operation involving the Police, DSS, military and other agencies had recently been deployed across Bwari and surrounding territories.

FCT Police Commissioner Miller G. Dantawaye had earlier directed security formations to intensify coordinated operations to suppress criminal activity, noting that the Minister had provided additional resources to strengthen response capacity. Despite these measures, the latest abduction highlights the growing insecurity threatening Abuja’s outskirts.

More updates as this story develops.